Columbia – The South Carolina State Museum is set to honor World War II veterans with a special event commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day on June 8, from 10 am to 5 pm. The day’s festivities will include special performances, the opening of a new exhibition, and an exclusive planetarium experience. Active military, veterans, and their families will enjoy free general admission to this event.
Musical performances will feature the 282D Army Jazz Band and the ColaJazz Foundation, delighting audiences with classic tunes like “Take the ‘A’ Train” by Duke Ellington and “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller. Additionally, guests will have the opportunity to be among the first to experience “D-Day and the Moon,” a new planetarium show exclusive to Saturdays in June. This show will take viewers on a historical journey, revealing the moon’s crucial role in planning D-Day and the contemporary benefits of tracking the night sky.
The museum will also unveil its new exhibition, “Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II.” This exhibition highlights the impactful stories of South Carolinian men and women who contributed to the war effort, including the pursuit of “Double Victory” by Black South Carolinians fighting both fascism abroad and segregation at home. Through displays of artifacts, archival newsreels, historic photographs, and oral histories, the exhibition showcases the personal experiences of South Carolinians during World War II.
“South Carolinians demonstrated tremendous courage during this conflict,” said Dr. Ramon Jackson, State Museum Curator of African American Culture and History. “They were Black and white, rich and poor, and came from every corner of the state. World War II transformed their lives and ushered in a modern world.”
Exhibition highlights include a holiday card mailed from Pearl Harbor the day before the attack, a uniform from a Tuskegee Airmen trainer, a flight helmet from a Doolittle Raider, a Red Cross Motor Corps uniform, and various military equipment from the European and Pacific theaters.
Admission to the 80th Anniversary D-Day Salute and the “Shared Sacrifice: South Carolina in World War II” exhibition is included with the museum’s general admission: $13 for adults, $11 for seniors (62+), and $10 for children (3-12). Infants 2 and under are free. Active military, veterans, and their families will enjoy free admission on June 8. Tickets for the planetarium and 4D theater shows will be available at an additional charge.
